5.09.2011

Apple Cheddar Muffins recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 medium tart apples, peeled and chopped

Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients; stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. In a small bowl, beat the egg, buttermilk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in apples.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Brazil Nut Fruitcake recipe.

Ingredients
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 pound red candied cherries
1 pound green candied cherries
1 pound Brazil nuts
1 pound walnut halves
1 pound pecan halves
2 pounds pitted dates

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 - 8x4 inch loaf pans and line them with parchment or waxed paper.
Beat eggs, salt and vanilla together until very light and lemon colored. Stir in sugar, 1 cup flour and baking powder.
Place cherries, nuts, and dates into a large bowl. Dust with the remaining 1/2 cup flour. Then stir in sugar mixture. There is very little batter which makes this a very stiff mixture. Mix with hands.
Press batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour.

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Raisins and Pecans recipe.

Ingredients
5 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 ounce raisins
1 ounce chopped pecans
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup water

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Spread sweet potatoes in a single layer in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with raisins and chopped pecans.
In a small bowl, mix the butter, syrup and water. Pour the mixture over potatoes.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven 50 to 60 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender.

Bean 'N' Beef Quesadillas recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chunky salsa
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
2 cups chopped cooked roast beef
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
8 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the salsa, cilantro and lime juice. In another bowl, combine the beans, corn and 1/2 cup salsa mixture. Set remaining salsa mixture aside.
Place beef, cheese and bean mixture on half of each tortilla; fold over. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook quesadillas in 1 tablespoon oil for 1-2 minutes on each side or until cheese is melted, using additional oil as needed. Cut into wedges. Serve with reserved salsa mixture.